There are several methods available to get your Dreamcast online, the easiest (but most expensive) is to simply buy a broadband adapter. The drawback to that (aside from costing $100+ on average) is that it's not supported by every game. Currently you can only play Phantasy Star Online, Quake III Arena, and Toy Racer using the BBA. The other options involve the Dreamcast's modem. You can simulate a dial-up connection using a PC-DC server, Netopia setup, or DreamPi. You can also use actual dial-up service if you still have a landline phone. DreamPi is by far the most popular method and is essentially a pre-configured PC-DC server which uses a Raspberry Pi; this is the method I would recommend as it's the cheapest and easiest to set up. Below you'll find a comparison of the various connection methods, links to tutorials, and information on how to connect to the various game servers. Hope to see you online soon! Once you're online be sure to check out the Game Scheduling section of the Dreamcast-Talk forums!

Cons:Can take multiple attempts to connect when playing Windows CE games (Starlancer, Maximum Pool, PBA Tour Bowling 2001, and 4x4 Evolution), Parts are expensive and hard to find, Fairly complicated to set up, Does not work with Alien Front Online or the NBA/NFL/NCAA games.

Pros: Possibly the cheapest method if you already have an old PC and modem lying around.

Cons: Complicated to set up, Can take multiple attempts to connect when playing Windows CE games like Starlancer Next Tetris, Maximum Pool, PBA Tour Bowling 2001, and 4x4 Evolution, Requires a PC to be on at all times and can be a pain to get connected, Does not work with Alien Front Online or the NBA/NFL/NCAA games.

Real Dial-Up

Pros: Easy to set up.

Cons: Slowest connection method, May not work with all games, Monthly fee, Does not work with Alien Front Online.

Game Connection Guide

Games with the * symbol next to the title require you to set up DMZ or port forwarding on your router in order for them to work properly. Instructions on how to do that can be found at the bottom of the page.

4x4 Evolution

Nothing! The game will connect without any modifications.

Alien Front Online*

Automatic with DreamPi. Currently it will not work with any other connection methods.

Note: This game requires you to configure a standard length phone number (e.g. 111-1111) or it won't even attempt to connect.

ChuChu Rocket!*

Automatic with DreamPi. For other connection methods, set your DNS server to 46.101.91.123 using your Dreamcast web browser or in your Netopia/PC-DC configuration.

Maximum Pool

Automatic with DreamPi. For other connection methods, set your DNS to 46.101.91.123 using your Dreamcast web browser or in your Netopia/PC-DC configuration.

To play online with all the tables and modes unlocked, download the save file from the Downloads section using your Dreamcast web browser.

Monaco Grand Prix Online

Automatic with DreamPi**. For other connection methods, set your DNS server to 46.101.91.123 using your Dreamcast web browser or in your Netopia/PC-DC configuration.

**You must create an account before logging in.

NBA / NFL / NCAA 2K Series*

Automatic with DreamPi (1.7 required for these games). For real dial-up connections, set your DNS server to 46.101.91.123 using your Dreamcast web browser.

The Next Tetris: Online Edition*

Automatic with DreamPi**. For other connection methods, set your DNS server to 46.101.91.123 using your Dreamcast web browser or in your Netopia/PC-DC configuration.

**You must create an account before logging in. When creating an account, use "pass" as the password.

Ooga Booga*

Automatic with DreamPi**. For other connection methods, set your DNS server to 46.101.91.123 using your Dreamcast web browser or in your Netopia/PC-DC configuration.

**When creating an account, you will be assigned a random username (Player_<ID>). You can change your name here.

PBA Tour Bowling 2001*

Automatic with DreamPi**. For other connection methods, set your DNS server to 46.101.91.123 using your Dreamcast web browser or in your Netopia/PC-DC configuration.

**You must create an account before logging in. When creating an account, use "pass" as the password.

Phantasy Star Online

NTSC-U/J v2: Download the Sylverant PSO Patcher, burn it to a blank CD-R using ImgBurn, insert it into your Dreamcast, and swap it with the Phantasy Star Online disc when prompted.

All other versions:Automatic with DreamPi. For other connection methods, set your DNS to 46.101.91.123 in your Dreamcast web browser or in your Netopia/PC-DC configuration.

POD SpeedZone

Automatic with DreamPi**. For other connection methods, set your DNS server to 46.101.91.123 using the Dreamcast web browser or in your Netopia/PC-DC configuration.

**You must create an account before logging in.

Planet Ring*

Automatic with DreamPi. For other connection methods, set your DNS to 46.101.91.123 using your Dreamcast web browser or in your Netopia/PC-DC configuration. If you're using real dial-up, you may require the Sylverant Planet Ring Patcher.

Quake III Arena (Automatic with DreamPi)

US Version:Automatic with DreamPi. For other connection methods, set your DNS in the game to 46.101.91.123. If you're unable to see the master server list, you can manually connect to a server by selecting "More" and inputting the IP address of the server. You can find the list of servers here.

PAL Version:Automatic with DreamPi. For other connection methods, set your DNS to 46.101.91.123 using your Dreamcast web browser or in your Netopia/PC-DC configuration. Once connected, select any username from the list and input anything for the password.

Sega Swirl

This game is played via e-mail so you must set up an email account from within a Dreamcast web browser. Most modern e-mail providers are not supported so workarounds are needed. For DreamPi users, click here for instructions.

Starlancer*

Automatic with DreamPi. For other connection methods, set your DNS server to 46.101.91.123 using your Dreamcast web browser or in your Netopia/PC-DC configuration.

Toy Racer

Broadband Adapter: When connecting, the game will ask you for an IP address and TCP port number. Input 173.44.115.191 for the IP and 2048 for the TCP port number.

Modem:Automatic with DreamPi.Set your DNS server to 46.101.91.123 using your Dreamcast web browser or in your Netopia/PC-DC configuration. Once connected, select any username from the list and input anything for the password.

World Series Baseball 2K2*

Automatic with DreamPi**. For all other connection methods, set your DNS to 46.101.91.123 using your Dreamcast web browser or in your Netopia/PC-DC configuration.

**When creating an account, you will be assigned a random username (Player_<ID>). You can change your name here.

Worms World Party*

Automatic with DreamPi. For other connection methods, set your DNS to 46.101.91.123 using your Dreamcast web browser or in your Netopia/PC-DC configuration.

*Port Forwarding/DMZ Instructions

Some games may require port forwarding or DMZ in order to play a game once connected. To set up DMZ on your router, go to your router's configuration page, find the DMZ setting, and input the IP address of your Dreamcast. The IP address of your Dreamcast will be the same as the IP of your router except for the digits after the last period which will normally be 98 (e.g. If your router's IP address is 192.168.1.1 then the Dreamcast would be 192.168.1.98).

NOTE: Although this is rarely the case, there's a possibility that another device on your network is already using .98. In this case, the IP will be something else (sometimes .97 or .99). You can double-check the IP address of your Dreamcast with an NTSC-U copy of Quake III Arena. The IP address will be shown after a successful connection.

If you need to use port forwarding instead, here are the ports that you need to forward: